The Mutual Enrichment of Quantum Holism and Holism in Philosophy of Mind

Summary

What is meant by holism in quantum physics and what is meant by holism in the philosophy of mind has a substantial common conceptual content. However, we cannot melt these two sorts of holism together in order to reach one comprehensive holism. So what is the significance of this common conceptual content? I propose a mutual enrichment of these two sorts of holism. In particular, the common conceptual content of quantum holism and holism in the philosophy of mind shows that holism in the philosophy of mind fits into a view of the world that bases itself on scientific realism [10.1]. Quantum holism can be used to cut off one aspect of the alleged link between holism, indeterminacy and eliminativism in the philosophy of mind [10.2]. Furthermore, quantum holism and holism in the philosophy of mind both support the same supervenience claim, namely global supervenience in contrast to local supervenience [10.3]. Finally, both quantum holism and holism in the philosophy of mind point at the same new sort of realism which overcomes the opposition between metaphysical realism and relativism or instrumentalism. In conclusion, we can therefore say that both these sorts of holism make a significant common contribution to a contemporary philosophical view of the world and ourselves [10.4].